The 89 points scored by the Buckeyes tonight is the most of the 2008-09 campaign and most since posting 92 points in the finals of the NIT Tournament last season against Massachusetts.

Tonight’s game was the first against Houston Baptist and the Great West Conference in program history.

Ohio State is 10-1 in non-conference play this season with its lone loss coming against West Virginia Dec. 27. The Buckeyes have also won 14 of their last 15 home games.

Since Thad Matta took over the Ohio State men’s basketball program to begin the 2004-05 season, the Buckeyes are 53-10 in regular season non-conference play.

Ohio State recorded 55 first-half points, the highest output for a half this season by the Buckeyes. The previous high was 51 second-half points against Miami (Fla.) Dec. 2. Ohio State also improved to 10-0 this season when holding the lead at halftime.

Junior guard Jeremie Simmons went 2-for-3 from the 3-point line. He has made a three-point basket in 13 of 14 games this season.

The Buckeyes started tonight’s game 6 of 7 from the field and 3 of 4 from 3-point range and posted 18 points in the first five minutes of play.

Ohio State opened the game on an 18-7 run, highlighted by freshman William Buford’s 11 points.

Buford reached double figures for the sixth time in the last seven games with 19 points Delaware State (13), Iona (10), UNC Asheville (16), West Virginia (11), Iowa (16) and Michigan State (17).

Freshman Walter Offutt posted a career-best five points and his first career steal.

The Buckeyes held a big advantage on the boards, out-rebounding the Huskies, 36-24. Ohio State is now 4-0 when they out-rebound its opponent.

Sophomore forward Nikola Kecman marked his first minutes of play for the Buckeyes. He sat out the first 12 games of the season to satisfy a NCAA penalty.

Kecman recorded his first Ohio State points against the Huskies tonight. He ended the game with 6 points on 3 of 5 shooting from the field and four rebounds.

Ohio State handed out a season high in assists with 25. Five players recorded career highs in assists Jon Diebler (8), Simmons (5), Dallas Lauderdale (4), Kyle Madsen (2) and B.J. Mullens (2).

Matta is 67-2 vs. unranked opponents in Columbus since taking over the Ohio State program in 2004-05. Matta is 75-7 overall in Columbus with a record of 70-7 at VCA, 3-0 at St. John Arena and 1-0 at Nationwide Arena.

Matta’s career record is 218-69 in his ninth season as a head coach. He is 116-38 in his fifth year at Ohio State.

Houston Baptist guard Gordon Watt scored 26 points, the most of any individual player against the Buckeyes this season (Luke Harangody 25, Gordon Hayward 25).